Genre

[alg]

Genre as a marketing category!
Publishers and editors do not think about genre the same way authors do. Here's an explanation.



... Now I write an ode to spinach:

spinach,
you
are green
and
i wish i had more
of you than
what I ate
(yum yum yum)
at five in the morning,
dawn
creeping
up
you are
(my sunshine and)
the perfect delivery method
for salt and
garlic.

Comments

[neutronjockey.livejournal.com]

People like categories. Categories make us feel safe. They help us know that we are getting what we want. Most people do not buy books wanting to be shocked or appalled or surprised.

YES.

It is a sad fact that the majority of people no longer are willing to experiment. Books are expensive. I don't know about you, but I don't have seven dollars to spend on an author I've never heard of if I don't have the faintest clue where to slot the book in my head.

YES.

Here's the story: I say to Waldenbooks, "This book doesn't have a genre." Walden says, "So what are we supposed to do with it?" I say, "I dunno." Walden says, "How about we just skip this title and buy twice as many of that romance novel?

And OMFG. YES!

Since my departure from the Navy I've been slaving amongst the bottom feeding trolls in the weekly season of avarice (see: retail) at Ye Olde Borders. Customers only see two things (and keep in mind I'm talking your average reader, not an expert reader and not a writer/reader <--- each of those creatures shops differently); these two things are: 1) big sign noting genre and 2) bright!shiny!cover!
That's it.
Really.
I've tried using the words 'sub-genre' and 'cross-genre' while attempting to assist a customer and I get a blank stare.
Customer: I'm looking for a new mystery book for my husband.
Me: What kind of mysteries does your husband like to read?
Customer: *blank stare* He likes mysteries.
Me: Do you know the author's name he's currently reading?
Customer: No, I don't remember, but it's got a shiny blue cover.
Me: Okay, is he more of a crime and forensics guy or more of a tech guy?
Customer: Oh he loves CSI.
Me: Okay, I know a number of really good mysteries based on real cased studies with enough forensic geekery to keep any CSI buff happy...I'll show you to them.
Customer: I think he'll like this one!
Me: Ma'am, we're in fantasy/sci-fi and that's Terry Brooks.
Customer: That's okay I'll buy this one for him.
Me: (*ScrubsMeta*) Look Barbie...

In short form: I totally agree: don't sweat the genre.

In another form: don't you think a savvy writer, one who writes for intent of being published should keep their eye on the market trend as to what their genre is doing and what cross and sub-genres are hot? I mean, if writing is your business, don't you have to give in a bit to make a living?

-=Jeff=-

[alg.livejournal.com]

don't you think a savvy writer, one who writes for intent of being published should keep their eye on the market trend as to what their genre is doing and what cross and sub-genres are hot? I mean, if writing is your business, don't you have to give in a bit to make a living?

Yes and no. The way to keep track of what your genre is doing is to go join your genre's writers' organization and watch what is being *sold* -- not what is being offered on the shelves. The shelves are two years out of date!

As I said in another comment, (at least) 99% of the time, a writer's genre is pretty easily nailed. 50% of that 99% of the time, the writer is the person making it more complicated, because s/he desperately wants to be a unique snowflake.